The madras cloth is one of the world’s most used fabrics that became popular in the 1950s.
Originally from India, the madras cloth is a lightweight cotton fabric with a colorful patterned texture and a distinctive plaid design.
The fabric was named after Madras city, now Chennai, where it was handwoven in several villages in its remote areas. The cloth was made for middle income and low-income earners but would later be of huge significance to Black culture and history.
Madras fabric found its way into African territory as early as the 14th century through North African and Middle Eastern traders.
Despite gaining popularity in North Africa, the cloth became more popular when it was taken to West Africa by Portuguese traders from India.
By the 17th century, the cloth had become one of the most valuable commodities in trade. Local traders who had the madras cloth were more likely to purchase more goods which they then resold at a higher price to Western traders. Western traders also gave the cloth to the locals in exchange for gold, salt, milk and other natural resources.
